SCAQMD Issues 'No Burn' Alert for South Bay

Hermosa Beach and the rest of the South Bay are currently under a no-burn alert, according to an email from Sam Atwood of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

No burn alerts are declared when fine particulate matter reaches a certain concentration in the air, making it dangerous for certain groups. Under a no burn alert, residents are not allowed to use wood-burning fireplaces or stoves.

Unlike previous no-burn alerts, Thursday's applies to only the cities in the South Bay, Long Beach and northern parts of Orange County. It will expire at midnight, so wood-burning will be permitted Friday.

The wood-burning ban exempts homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service.